Hi there Megan,
Thank you for your great question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. I hope you are having a Jumpin' Jellyfish day!
The Games of the Boardwalk is a family tradition of ours to try our luck at the four game booths along the Paradise Pier midway. My personal favorite, although I'm not always a winner, is Dumbo Bucket Brigade, where you shoot a water cannon at a target and try to be the first one to get your clown to the top of the ladder to rescue Dumbo from a fire. (Dumbo is one of my gems)
The Games of the Boardwalk at Disney California Adventure Park do have a fee to play for a chance to win a prize. To play, you will purchase a special play card with prepaid credits at a dispensing machine located near the booths.
I hope this helps and that you have a pixie-dusted visit. If you have any more questions, please visit me here and let me know how I can help you plan your magical vacation.
Wishing y'all a Silly Symphonies time!
~ Lynette